Parramatta Council last week approved a licensing agreement for the Lions to move into the disused Rydalmere Bowling Club, which will have a facelift before reopening early next year.Lions president Peter Bacha revealed the club was facing the loss of its football licence before council threw it a lifeline last week.

“It’s come just in time; it’s massive relief,” said Mr Bacha, who has been a player, coach and official at the club since 1979.

“The council has given us another lease of life. It’s game-changing for us.”

The councillor driving the merger, Liberal Steven Issa, said the football club could now look forward to a bright future.

“It’s massive for the club. They are now an NPL1 (National Premier League) club, and this league is just below the national A-League competition,” Cr Issa said. “They also have grassroots football teams, so this isn’t just about council supporting a representative-level team.

“The broader community will also benefit from this deal. Council can now open up the bowling club (after a year sitting idle) as a community facility with the bistro and lawn bowls coming back.”

Mr Bacha thanked Cr Issa and Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson for leading the way in finding the club a new home after a “bumpy ride” in recent years.

“We always wanted to merge with bowling club,” Mr Bacha said. “When they decided to go with the Australian Turf Club (at Rosehill nearly two years ago), we then we had a fight with the council’s administrator and had to start the whole process over again.

“And now, this decision by the council has secured the club’s future. We can now properly look after the players, coaches and supporters of the club, as well as the broad community.“It’s a great day for Rydalmere FC.”

Season 2018 has been a positive journey where we have commenced climbing the mountain to get to the top of our next chapter of our football dream.

Season 2018 was our clubs first taste at the Men's National Premier League 2 level. Our youth players experienced what it is like playing the highest level of football. Competing in the Youth National Premier League One competition. What stood out was how working together, fighting for each other on the pitch really showed how agile and determined our players are to want to become the best footballers in the game.

2018, was another stepping stone in the clubs history. FNSW granted the club a SAP license. This an important stepping stone for our grassroots. SAP provides the club with the opportunity to introduce a professional training program opening up the pathway for our juniors to feed into our NPL teams.

We can never forget our grass roots and our association teams. The number of our association junior players grew by 9% this year. The young talent coming through (under 6s to Under 8s) is quite exciting, and in the next five years, we will have the opportunity to feed our grass roots into representative football as our SAP program evolves.

This year the club had 43 registered teams, over 480 players, which is up 7% from season 2017. The growth and interest the local community has given football club has been quite compelling.

It has been a successful year for our association teams. Well done and congratulations to our Over 35s, and Under 16/2 team and who were crowned 2018 GDSFA Grandfinal champions. Our Men's AA1s and Ladies AA1s were grand finalists. For the first time in the club history, our ladies will represent our club and the local GDSFA football community in the upcoming champion of champions competition.

I would like to thank our valued sponsors whose involvement goes a long way financially supporting us achieving our ultimate goal; to give both the local and wider community the chance to play professional and social football in Australia and abroad. Their valued contribution goes a long way to assist in ensuring the club continues to deliver its vision.

On behalf of myself and the rest of the clubs board and committee members, I would like to thank you all for believing and adhering to the clubs values.

Thank you to all the coaches, players, parents and volunteers for their efforts this year.

Finally I would like to take the opportunity to thank our board and committee who volunteer their time. Their dedication, commitment and long hour’s week in week out has allowed the club to run smoothly during the course of the year. And to all our teams who once again carry our logo with pride.

We look forward to having you back in Season 2019 for another successful season.

Rydalmere Lions Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Camilleri to First Grade Coach of the NPL Men’s Squad from 2019.

Chris will take over from current Head Coach Tony Basha who has decided to step down after guiding the club through the past 7 seasons where the club has won 2 Club Championships, 2 promotions, 5 finals appearances and 2 Grand Final Championships.

In a statement from Tony: "I would like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to work with some great people.

I would like to thank all the players that put on the Lions jersey while I was in charge. Thanks to the players and my staff for helping me win two promotions and also appearing in 6 grand finals in seven seasons, while also collecting two coach of the year awards with Football NSW.

I would like to thank my family for the support.

I joined Rydalmere when it was just a park football team and will leave it a powerhouse. I have some excellent memories that I will cherish forever.

Good luck to my good friend Chris Camilleri who will take over next season".

Chris had joined the club originally as a player and after 2 seasons moved into a coaching role as the Club’s Under 18’s Coach. In his first two seasons he has guided the team to 2 Grand Final appearances, where the team won in their 1st Grand Final appearance. Chris has the team in line for a third straight finals appearance.

Chris has had an extensive playing resume both home and abroad and that asset is shown through his coaching ideals.

Chris will oversee the Men’s program along with his coaching staff to be announced shortly.

On behalf of the club we would like to say thank you to Tony Basha for the years of service to the club. He promised the club he will gain promotion and be in a strong position and he has delivered.

From everyone at Rydalmere Football Club, we wish Tony all the best luck in the next phase of your career.